Antilocapridae - Pronghorns

There is only one species in this order, the pronghorn.

The pronghorn is a unique North American mammal. Its Latin name, Antilocapra americana, means “American goat-antelope,” but it is not a member of the goat or the antelope family, and it is not related to the antelopes found in Africa.

The pronghorn is the only surviving member of the Antilocapridae family, and it has been in North America for over a million years.

The pronghorn is the fastest animal in the Western Hemisphere. It can run at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, and it can run long distances at speeds of 30-40 miles per hour.

It can make bounds of up to 20 feet when it is running. When the pronghorn runs, its mouth is open so it can breathe in extra oxygen. Speed is important because the pronghorn lives in open areas, and there is no place to hide from a predator! It has to be able to run away to stay alive.

One subspecies of the American pronghorn, the Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis), is an endangered species. Sonoran pronghorns are also known as “prairie ghosts” because they are so hard to find. They are found in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. There may only be as few as 30 alive in the wild today.

Did You Know?

Its Latin name, <em>Antilocapra americana</em>, means <strong>American goat-antelope</strong>, but it is not a member of the goat or the antelope family, and it is not related to the antelopes found in Africa.
Its Latin name, <em>Antilocapra americana</em>, means <strong>American goat-antelope</strong>, but it is not a member of the goat or the antelope family, and it is not related to the antelopes found in Africa.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

Pronghorn - Antilocapra americanaLeast ConcernNorth/Central America

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